Steam iron



P 1956 A. c. HOECKER 2,762,143 STEAM IRON Filed March 3l. 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q y n As Attorngy P 11, 1956 A. c. HQECKER 2,762,143

STEAM mow Filed March 31, 1948 2 sheets-sheet 2 [)7 vent a)": A/ber Cfi/oec/f'en W His A 25 zor'n e g nite States Patent Ofifice STEAM IRON Albert C. Hoecker, St. Louis, Mo., assignor, by niesne assignments, to General Electric Company, New York,

Y., a corporation of New York Application March 31, 1948, Serial No. 18,092

2 Claims. (Cl. 3877) This invention relates to pressing irons, and more specifically, to a pressing iron of the steaming and dampening type.

A principal object of this invention is to provide in a steam iron an improved means for atomizing a dampening fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for directing and distributing the dampening fluid to the clothing from various parts of the iron and with the least number of moving parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for controlling and regulating the quantity of dampening fluid discharged by the iron.

This invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

in the drawings, Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal section through a steam iron embodying this invention, certain portions of the handle not being sectionalized, but being broken away to illustrate detail;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the iron illustrated by Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation, partially in section taken the line 33 of Fig.

is a partial rear elevation of the iron as shown rig.

fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View or" a component of the device as shown by Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a modified form of the component shown by' Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a further modified form of the component shown by Fig; 5.

Peern'ng now to the accompanying drawings, a steam iron is shown as including a boiler or container 1 secured by screws 2 to a soleplate 3. T provide steam passages, the soleplate 3 is provided on its top surface with a channel 4 having a generally V-shape, as shown by Fig. 2. Steam may be conducted to the material being ironed from the channel 4- through a plurality of perforations or openings in the soleplate. An electrical heating element 6 is shown as located in a relatively large depression 7 in the soleplate. The electrical heating element 6 may be of a conventional construction, for example, including electrical resistance wire 3 appropriately supported between layers of insulating material 9 and 10. Since the specific form of the heating element forms no part of the present invention, and may be of a type well-known the art, a further description is not included herein.

To provide a steam chamber and a water space, the forward end of boiler 1 is provided with a bafile plate 11. Thus, under normal conditions of operation, only steam enters this steam space 12. A duct 13 extends through bafiie plate 11 and the lower wall of the boiler 1 as well as soleplate 3 to provide a passage from the steam space to the ironing surface. Duct 13 is in the form of a trans -verse member, preferably of a generally V-shape as illus trated b Fig Thus, a transverse opening 1 is provided in the sole late of a substantial extent. This trans- Patented Sept. 11,

.2 verse opening in the soleplate also communicates with the channel 4, as illustrated by Fig. 1, for directing the steam chamber 1 2 is directed into the duct 13 through a minute opening 15 as shown by Fig. 1. This minute opening is adapted to retain sufiicient steam pressure in the boiler to atomize liquid in a manner to be described. I

Secured to the upper portion of duct 13 is an angular tubular member 16 forrn inga water conduit. One leg 17 of this liquidconduit is directly secured to the upper portion er duct 13 for discharge into the minute opening 15; while the other leg 18 extends downwardly into the water reservoir adjacent the lower portion thereof. Cooperatively associated this liquid cohduit 1 6 is a valve stem 19 for adjusting or regulating the uantity of liquid which may new through this conduit. Valve stem 19 is threaded into the uppef wall of the boiler as shown by Fig. l and an appropriate surfin has 29 maybe provided foi the purpose of preventing passage of steam along the valve 'sterh. valve tents extends pwardly through a tubular fastening device 21, which at its lower end is threaded in" esgagemfittvith the Boiler land at its upper and engages a recess 22 in the handle. Thus, the tubular member 21 also functions to secure handle 23 w the rears-ta p'of'rtitiii tif th boilh is a eanve'ntional mannei, the valve 1 provided at its upper end with a kniirle'dkn'ob 24.

As shown clearly by Fig. 1, steam space 12 coinmunicate's with duct least only through the minute openings taunt also through a passage 25. state passage 25 also communicates with the water conduit 15, regulated quantities of liquid be added to the steam flowing through opening 15 adjustiiig tlie attest of the opening of valve stein 19 in conduit 16. Prefera-s y, valve stem 19 with its tapered lower end is adapted to admit water into passage 25 drop by drop, so that the water may be stems-ea properly by the steam. This atomized water enters iiiict 13 through minute sea in 15 along with the steam. sinceflu'ct 13 diverges d wardly to the relatively large trzin'sveise the soleplate, a large ates er the swarm b ng ironed will be dampened. This atomization of particles liquid is an important featiiie of this invention, since this sup ply of additional nidisture aids materially iii removing wrinkles from the fabric beiilgirened.

An independent seamen-sneer as it deiinerl by the walls of the boiler, same plate 1; and a vertical wall i ed int'oth'i's separate e 23 in vertical wall 27. Discharge from the separate e iiiber 25 is provided by means of a same 29 threaded and opening formed in the u per forward portion or was of bbiler I. As illustrated by Fig. 1 sea by the fe'irla-rged View shown by Fig. 5, nozzle 29 is prsvid'ea with a discharge outlet as directed generally outwardly toward the irdiiing surface. The forward are of basis plate 11 any be it) tied with one or more small openings 31 for admitting water intb chamber 26; A flexible strip of metal 3:; estates ever the opening or openings 31 and is secured tb the upper surface or" baffle plate 11 to prevent water from splashing into chamber 26 while the iron is on an even keel; while permitting a limited and regulated quantit of water to flow into chamber 26' when the toe of the iron is tilted downwardly.

When the toe of the iron is tilted downv'v'ardly, water enters chamber 26 through an opening 31. This water may flow into a passage 33 in no'z z'le member 29 and be directed to the clothing through the discharge outlet 39 in the nozzle: At the same time, steam in chamber 26, which has entered through aperture 28, enters the passage 34 in the nozzle m'ember. Steam under pressure in this passage 34- fiows through a small interior spen to material being ironed. Steam from the steam.

tends upwardly through a 3 ing in the'nozzle and thus provides a means for atomizing the liquid as it emerges through the spray aperture 30. V

A modified nozzle 36 is illustrated by Fig. 6. This nozzle is provided with minute opening 37 at its inlet end through which liquid and steam may enter, and with an outlet 38 through which saturated steam and atomized liquid are sprayed onto the fabric. It has been found that this type of nozzle is. a very simple and yet eflicient atomizing nozzle which can be substituted for nozzle 2* illustrated by Figs. 1 and 5.

In Fig. 7, a further modification is shown of a nozzle 39 which may be substituted for the nozzle 29 illustrated by Figs. 1 and 5. This nozzle, of course, may be threaded likewise into the opening in the top forward wall of the boiler. A cup-shaped member 40 is secured over the threaded part 41 and in the cup-shaped member is a discharge outlet 42, from which atomized water and saturated steam issue. Positioned within the cup-shaped fitting 40 is atomizing means which comprises a member 43 having multiple threads such as 44 and 44a formed thereon. This formation affords one or more channels of spiral or thread forms so that the water passing around these threads is rotated and then issues from the threads in a mist, so as to, in this state, issue from discharge outlet 42.

' In order to avoid the necessity of lifting the iron off the fabric while ironing, and to regulate the quantity of liquid passing into chamber 26, a conduit 45 may be employed, which conduit extends through bafile plate 11 and into the water in the boiler. The end of conduit 45 which extends into chamber 26 is provided with a valve seat 46 for the reception of a tapered end portion 47 on a valve stem 48. This valve stem may extend through an appropriate stuffing box 49 in the top wall of the boiler and upwardly through the front portion of the handle. The valve stem is provided with a knob 50 for rotating the stem and thus adjusting the position of the valve stem by means of its threaded engagement with the stuffing box 49. From the foregoing, it may be observed that by manipulating the knob 50 to advance or retract the tapered part 47 of the valve stem from the seat 46, the water passing through conduit 45 can be regulated, thus to regulate the quantity of liquid issuing from nozzle duit 45 could be omitted, and the valve stem 48 with its tapered seat could be utilized for regulating the flow of water into chamber 26 when the toe of the iron is tilted downwardly. In such an event, valve stem 48 may be provided with a collar or washer 51 to prevent water from splashing into chamber 26 during normal operation.

Safety valve means'including a safety valve casing 52 is provided at the rear portion of the iron. This valve casing 52 may be secured in any desired manner to the boiler, so that a fluid-tight connection is provided. A portion of this valve casing 52 within the boiler is provided with an opening in the form of a valve seat 53. Cooperatively associated with valve seat 53 is a tapered valve member 54 carried by a valve stem 55 which expacking gland or stuffing box 56. Member 56 is provided with a cam surface 57 at the upper end thereof. The valve member 54 is normally biased into a closed position on valve seat 53 by means of a compression spring 58. However, this valve may be opened manually by rotating a handle 59 secured to valve stem 55, which handle cooperates with the cam surface 57 to raise the valve stem. When the valve is in its normally-closed position, the valve may be raised from its seat upon the existence of excessive steampressure within the boiler.

In the event that steam exhausts through valve opening 53, it flows through an opening 60 in the valve casing andthe rear wall of the boiler into a chamber 61. From chamber 61, the steam is discharged to the atmosphere through the discharge outlets 62 in funnel 63. The ob- 29 in the form of a spray. Obviously, con- 4 ject of the chamber 61,"and"th'e small discharge outlets 62 is to prevent the sudden rush of steam discharged from the safety valve from injuring the operator.

To fill the iron with water, valve 54 is first opened by rotating lever 59 with respect to its associated cam surface 57 on the safety valve assembly. The toe of the iron is then tilted downwardly, and water is introduced into the boiler by pouring the water into funnel 63. The water passes through the apertures 62 into chamber 61, and then through passageway 60 and the open safety valve into the interior of the boiler.

Alternatively, a liquid filling device shown by assembly 64 may be provided. Device 64 includes a filling funnel 65 into which liquid may be poured. A rotary valve member 66 and including a handle 67 is provided in member 64, which valve member may be rotated to align the slot therein with aperture 68 in funnel 65. Thus, to fill the boiler with water, knob 67 is rotated until the slot in the rotary valve member is in alignment with aperture 68 of the funnel. Also, operating lever 59 of the safety valve is rotated on cam surface 57 to manually open the safety valve. Thereupon, water may be poured into funnel 65, while the iron is held with the toe pointing downwardly, and the water will run into the boiler.. When the boiler has been filled adequately, the safety valve is again closed by rotating lever 59 back to its normal position as shown by Fig. l. Preferably, this manual filling valve 66 is also rotated to the position shown by Fig. 1. A baffle plate 69 is shown at the rear of the boiler to prevent water from entering the safety valve opening when steam is discharged.

Electric power may be connected to the terminals of heating element 6 in any desired manner. By way of example, I have shown an electrical supply cord 70 comprising insulated conductors 71 and 72 connected to an appropriate terminal structure 73. From terminal structure 73 on the top of the boiler, enclosed tubular conduits 74 are provided through the interior of the boiler. These conduits provide liquid-tight passageways for the conductors extending down to the heating element. Connections to the heating element terminals are made at 75 within cavity 7 defined in the soleplate.

As previously described, handle 23 is secured to the boiler at the forward portion thereof by means of the tubular fastening device 21. Additionally, Fig. 1 illustrates in dotted lines the use of a fastening device 76 for the rear portion of the handle. This screw 76 or equivalent fastening means may extend into a bridge 77 which is welded or otherwise secured to the top of the boiler.

In use of this improved pressing iron, safety valve 54 is lifted from its associated valve seat 53 by rotating lever 59 to the high part of cam 57. The toe of the iron is then tilted downwardly and water is introduced into the boiler by pouring the water into funnel 63. The water passes through apertures 62 into chamber 61, and then through passageway 60 into the boiler. As previously described, water might also be introduced into the boiler by pouring into funnel 65, in which case handle 67 is rotated to the position opening passage 68 into chamber 61. After water is introduced into the boiler, lever 5? is again turned until it occupies the low point on cam 57, and the handle 67 for valve 66 is rotated to the position illustrated in Fig. l. 7 When the valve 54 is seated and water is in the boiler, connection is made between the electrical supply cord 70 and a source of electrical energy. This results in heating element 7 giving off heat which will heat the soleplate 3 and will heat the walls of the boiler so as to convert the water therein into steam. The steam so produced passes upwardly into the steam chambers 12 and 26 and downwardly through the minute opening 15 into the transverse conduit or duct 14 to the clothing being ironed. Part of the steam passes through 1 channel 4 and perforations 5 in the soleplate. The steam passing through the transverse opening 14 in the soleplate may be made damp or dry by turning knob 24 thereby advancing or retracting the tapered part of the valve stem 19 with respect to water conduit 16, admitting water into duct 13 to produce saturated steam and atomized particles of liquid when valve steam 19 is retracted, and dry steam when valve stem 19 is forced into a position closing off water conduit 16. Dry steam may, of course, enter duct 13 at all times through the passage 25 and the minute opening 15.

Steam can also be driected to the material being ironed through the discharge outlet or nozzle 29 which communicates with the steam chamber 26. With the valve stem 48 retracted, water will enter steam chamber 26 mixing water with steam, with the combination being sprayed through discharge outlet 30 in the nozzle 29. Alternatively, the iron may be tipped forwardly with the front end thereof in a downward position, upon which water will enter steam chamber 26 through the aperture or apertures 31, and again, be mixed with the steam and sprayed upon the fabric being ironed.

While the present invention has been described by reference to particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the invention. I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the foregoing disclosure.

What I claim is:

l. A dampening and pressing iron comprising a steam boiler including a sole plate and means for heating said sole plate and the water in said boiler to produce steam, a partition between the water and the top of said boiler at the forward end of said boiler and having a Wall extending from said partition to the top of said boiler a distance from the forward end thereof, so as to provide a steam compartment between the front Wall of the boiler and said wall, an opening in said partition so that when the toe of the iron is tilted downwardly water from said boiler will enter said steam compartment to mix the water with the steam, a valve extending through the wall of said boiler and having a part communicating with the opening in said partition for controlling the water passing through said opening so that only sufiicient water will enter said steam compartment to mix the water with the steam and thereby be properly atomized, a discharge outlet communicating with the steam and water in said steam compartment for conducting said atomized Water to the material to be ironed, at least a part of said discharge outlet being restricted to retain suflicient steam pressure in said boiler to atomize the water passing through said discharge outlet for dampening the material to be ironed.

2. A pressing iron comprising a soleplate and a steam boiler having a steam space and a water space, a partition between said steam and water spaces, a duct extending from said partition to an opening in the soleplate for conducting the steam from the steam space through the opening in said soleplate to the material to be ironed, a member extending into said water space and having an opening communicating with said duct for admitting the water into said duct so as to mix the water with the steam, a needle valve for controlling the water flowing through said water opening so as to atomize the water, and means for heating said soleplate and the water in said boiler to produce steam, said duct extending almost completely across the soleplate and up into said partition so the atomized water in said duct can scatter over a considerable area of the material, without lifting the iron off the material being ironed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,180,523 Horton Nov. 21, 1939 2,240,612 Ekstedt May 6, 1941 2,311,164 Ekstedt Feb. 16, 1943 2,357,862 Wolcott et al. Sept. 12, 1944 2,371,569 Wolcott et al. Mar. 13, 1945 2,387,757 Hoecker Oct. 30, 1945 

